well unless it like exploded and the small pieces or metal or flakes went into the pump probably would not notice. What would happen is if it is covered with a layer of crud the pressure would pull it inward and possible rupture and then it could be sucking unfiltered fluid in, not most likely do anything if not a long time but if the strainer was that bad that it caused that to happen that layer of crud all around the spit would then be sucked into your pump and the concentration of it may harm the pump or that crud may get stuck in the passages or valves in the 3pt system.